Automobile signal device



G. F. KREBS.

AUTOMOBILE SIGNAL DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE I2, 1920.

Patented May 17,1921.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1- fla.

INVENTOR $005 F. /M

A TTORNEY b. F. KREBS.

AUTOMOBILE SIGNAL DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12. 1920.

Patented my 17,1921.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2- WITNESS BY wa b ATTORNEY GEORGE I. KREBS, OF WIGHITA, KANSAS.

AUTOMOBTLE SIGNAL DEVICE.

7 '0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE F. KREBS, a citizen of the United States, residin at Wichita, in the county of Sedgwick and tate of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in an Automobile Signal Device, of which the following is a description, referring to the drawings with this specification.

The invention relates to an electric signal arrangeable both on the rear of a motor car and in front of the windshield thereof; and to a control of the desired signaling mechanism by the driver of the car.

In the drawings, Figure 1 shows a side elevation of a motor car and illustrates the plural-signal device vertically dlsposed in a horizontal series upon the cowl, forward of the windshield. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side view of a motor car in which the plural signal device is vertically arranged in a vertical series, forward of the windshield. Fig. 3 1s a detail front view of the light case, showing the different colors of glass as employed, and by a broken away portion at the rlght of the drawing, illustrating the double pane feature of the invention. Fig. 4 is a rear view of a motor car showing the signal compartments assembled in a square as a modification of the arrangement in series shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of the light case employed in Fig. 3, the panes of glass being removed to show the position of the electric bulbs. Fi 6 represents a vertical section taken t rough alamp compartment of the case seen in Fig. 3 to show the position of the bulb behind the glass pane. Fig. 7 is a wiring diagram applicable to either the rear lights or those in front of the windshield. Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, 10 represents the case of the device, preferably of sheet metal, and contains the electric bulbs and glass for signaling purposes. The shape of the case 10 seen in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 is rectangular, giving a plurality of com artments arranged in series from left to rig t or vice versa. From the top of each compartment depends an electric bulb 11, each in an individual circuit as later explained. The exposed face of each compartment is provided with a rim 12 which incloses and re- Specification of Letters Patent. Patented M 17 1921 Application filed June 12, 1920. Serial No. 388,538.

tains glass panes, a narrow pane 13 at the top and a larger or square pane 14 at the bottom. The mm 12 is preferably of sheet metal arlird 1nlud[es Eide division bars 12 as seen in 1 n i 6 include the rim 1; and the a? i d between seen metal strips 12 and 12 which are bent around the edges of the case 10; the inner edges of these strips extend inwardly for a dlstance as back supports for the glass panes included between them and the outer rim portlons 12. Screws 12 as in Fig. 6 preferably secure the assemblage. The inner edge of the several strips 12 are perforated like a stencil, each having a different word such as Ahead, Right, Left and Stop. The lower panes 14 are of clear or colored glass as deslred. I prefer to make the lower pane under Ahead of clear glass, the pane under ltlght of blue glass, the pane under Left of green glass and the pane under Stop of red glass. The names and colors however may be varled to suit the demand. If desired the bulbs may be properly colored to correspond. As seen in Flg. 3., the glass panes 13 of the several compartments are each of clear glass and with the abutting lower panes 14 eflectually seal the case. The adoption of a difierent colored pane 14 to identify each 1nd1v1dual change in direction is of great advantage and will when universally adopted greatly minimize the likelihood of motor accldents. The clear glass l3, while protecting the portion 12"i1 permits of maximum illumination throug the stenciled word, WlllCh remains for signaling purposes even though the lower pane 14 be broken.

A switch block 15 is preferably placed on the dashboard; the circuit to eachcompartment is independently closed by the proper switch whereby the drivers intentions regarding his operation or direction of travel is immediately signaled to others. It is obvious that corresponding compartments in the front and rear devices can be wired in the same circuit. Modifications may be employedwithin the scope of the appended claims.

I claim;

1. An automobile si nal device comprising a case composed o a plurality of compartments,an electric bulb in each compartge of the case 10 are ment, each bulb being in an individual ment having glass retaining ri circuit; the exposed face of eacln'i1 compartportions and two glass panes lying conti uous one anotherin the same plane, .imme iately behind said'rim portions; and backing sup: ports secured to said case and arranged within such compartment a ainst said glass panes to secure said paire panes against such rim portions so as to efiectually seal the compartment; one of said backing supports being perforated to provide a stenciled signal, said support being coextensive with one pane in the paired combination, the other pane being uncovered by the backing supports and giving a signal corresponding to the stenciled signal.

ing a case composed 0 a plurality of compartments, an electric bulb in each compartment, each bulb being on an individual lighting circuit and a circuit. closer in said circult; the exposed face of each compartment having glass retaining rim portions and two glass panes lying contiguous one another in 2. An automobile si nal device compristhe same plane; immediately behind said rim portions and backin supports secured to said case and arrange within such compartment against said glass panes to secure said paired anes against such rim portions so as to e ectually seal the compartment,- one of said backlng supports being perforated to provide a stenclled signal, said support being coextensive with one pane in the paired combination, the other pane bein uncovered by the" backing supports; an giving a signal correspondin to the stenoiled signal, the stenciled bac ng supports of the several compartments difiering each from the other as to the signal st ciledj J. P. RYAN, in;

Y. Cmms. 

